In his first statement since being diagnosed with cancer, King Charles expressed his “heartfelt gratitude” for messages of support from the public.
The 75-year-old monarch said: “As everyone who has been affected by cancer knows, kind thoughts like this are a huge comfort and encouragement.”
News of the diagnosis was announced by Buckingham Palace on Monday.
The monarch is currently staying at Sandringham undergoing treatment for an unspecified cancer.
He was diagnosed with cancer in January while undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate gland. Although the type of cancer was not disclosed, the Palace confirmed that it was not prostate cancer.
In a thank you message, she wrote: “It's great to hear how sharing my own diagnosis has helped to improve public understanding and shine a light on the work of all the organizations that support cancer patients and their families in the UK and the wider world. .
“My lifelong appreciation for their tireless care and dedication is more a result of my own experience.”
King's Cancer Treatment
With senior royals including Queen Camilla and the Prince of Wales taking over his duties for some events, the monarch has stepped back from all public engagements while he is being treated for cancer.
He left Clarence House in London for his Norfolk home on Wednesday with the Queen. Her youngest son, the Duke of Sussex, had flown in from America for a brief visit that day.
“Seeing is believing” was one of the guiding principles of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Well, the King won't be seen any time soon, and the whirlwind of engagements has been put on hold for the moment.
But he will be heard.
By the usually more restrained standards of royal prose, it is highly personal.
Not many people his age choose to make their medical condition a global talking point. King goes out of his way to express his belief that his relative openness has served a purpose.
There's more – this is a man who, like many cancer patients, is now in the hands of doctors and nurses. And like many patients, he goes out of his way to highlight the work of caring people, whom he has certainly interacted with before, but never likes.
The king's thanks for all patronizing news is an unsurprising royal fee. But even there, the meeting of man and king unfolds in diagnosis and treatment—messages that, he says in different words, mean a lot.
The Queen said her husband was “very touched by all the letters and messages from the public from all over”.
Speaking at an event in Salisbury Cathedral on Thursday, he said the support had been “overwhelming”.
Queen says King Charles is “doing very well under the circumstances”.
Prince William has thanked his father and his wife the Princess of Wales for messages of support as he recovers from stomach surgery.
He is not expected to return to royal duties until after Easter.
King Charles' cancer diagnosis
Speaking at a charity fundraiser for London's Air Ambulance, which was attended by guests including Hollywood star Tom Cruise, Prince William said the comments were “a big deal for all of us”.
“It's fair to say there has been a 'medical' focus in the last few weeks,” he said.
The king's sister, the Princess Royal, admitted her words of support for both the king and Catherine earlier this week. Anne played host to Scottish rugby in Saturday's Six Nations match between Scotland and France.
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